The Spain star, who moved to first club Barcelona in a £30 million deal last summer, is currently enduring a difficult second season at the Nou Camp under new manager Tito Vilanova.

Fabregas is yet to complete a full 90 minutes so far this term, but the biggest blow came after he was an unused substitute against Real Madrid in the second-leg of the Spanish Cup last week – a fixture Barca lost 2-1.

And failing to cement himself as a key part of Vilanova’s plans is proving difficult to take for the 25-year-old.

‘There’s no such thing as a great substitute in the world of football – I couldn’t tell you what makes a great substitute,’ Fabregas told Marca.

‘I always wish my team-mates well and put a happy face on. If I have to take my unhappy face home then so be it, but I would never let my team-mates or manager see it.’

‘I’ve always said that I play for the best team in the world, but I came here to compete, to learn and enjoy, not to sit wracking my brains.’

Fabregas has since been linked with a dramatic return to Arsenal in January, with the Gunners holding a first option to re-sign the player if Barcelona want to sell.

But for Fabregas, he is not thinking about an exit at present.

‘The manager knows what I can offer. I’m delighted to be a part of this team but when a coach tells me I have to go, I’ll go.’

‘But I will not make it easy for him to do so, by any means. I will keep going, looking forward to the time that things change.’

‘I came here to see out my career.’

Fabregas is expected to meet with Vilanova before the weekend for clear-the-air talks.